US weapons pour into Lebanon amid turmoil
The Pentagon is sending armed helicopters to help Lebanon fend off terrorists despite budgetary and political uncertainty.
![LEBANON-SECURITY/ A Lebanese Army soldier walks past displayed weapons donated by the U.S. government to the Lebanese army, during a ceremony at Beirut international airport August 29, 2014. REUTERS/ Mohamed Azakir (LEBANON - Tags: MILITARY POLITICS) - GM1EA8T1IWS01](/sites/default/files/styles/article_hero_medium/public/almpics/2017/11-1/RTR4489P.jpg/RTR4489P.jpg?h=a5ae579a&itok=94JcNdGg)
The Donald Trump administration is pouring new weapons into Lebanon despite US budgetary uncertainty and political turmoil in Beirut.
Robert Karem, the assistant secretary of defense for international security affairs, informed Congress in October that the Pentagon plans to supply the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) with six US-origin MD-530G light attack helicopters. The proposal, which also includes communications equipment such as radios, satellite navigation and transponder beacons, is estimated at $110 million, according to congressional correspondence reviewed by Al-Monitor.